Mom giving back with son in mind

Stacey Jackson talks about her son, former Illinois football player Jerry Brown, at the Courtyard Cafe in the Illini Union, in Urbana on Wednesday July 20, 2016. Jerry Brown was killed in a car crash driven by his former teammate Josh Brent.j brent

CHAMPAIGN — When Stacey Jackson talks about the friendship between Josh Brent and her late son Jerry Brown, she often laughs. The two entered the University of Illinois at the same time, defensive players who signed on to play football for Ron Zook.

A chef at the UI, Jackson was oftentimes tasked with feeding the 300-pound behemoths.

Brown liked Mom's spaghetti and hot wings. Brent liked turkey necks.

"It was OK with me," Jackson said. "Each of them…